HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
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ventured to criticize as having been improperly made under emergency powers in respect of a non-emergency matter. I therefore welcome this Bill and the remarks of my Honourable Friend the Attorney General on its introduction as an earnest of Government's intention to act in accordance with the principles underlying this Resolution.
Sir, I welcome this Bill for another, and perhaps an even more important reason, and that is that the introduction of this Bill affords an opportunity to Honourable Members of this Council, which they would otherwise not have had, to consider, and if necessary, criticize and oppose the provisions embodied in the Bill.
Sir, the circumstances under which the Hotel Rates Advisory Committee was appointed are of course well-known. As its name implies, the chief function of this Committee was to enquire into the prevailing charges against "permanent residents" of various Hotels upon their complaint of exorbitant charges. Now, upon what prin- ciple could such an enquiry proceed? Obviously, in my submission, on the principle of Price Control.
1 do not pause to take up this Council's time by a general dis- cussion of Price Control. But surely the general acceptance in this post-war world of the principle of Price Control in cases in which it is applicable is founded on the proposition that a few cannot be allowed unduly to enrich themselves at the expense of the community by taking an unfair advantage of a shortage in the community, in other words, that there shall be no exploitation by the few of the many. Therefore, in prescribing a controlled price, the important question is what is the minimum price which would give the "seller" a reasonable return not what is the minimum price which a "buyer" can afford ! For if it were not so, the result of a "Price Control" night be, not that the price should be fair, but that the few should be compelled to subsidise the many, and to carry on their businesses as a sort of charitable institutions.
The fact that full and detailed accounts of the Hotels, etc., were called for and carefully scrutinised by the Committee, and that, on the other hand, the Committee did not regard it as their duty to examine into the financial positions of the Hotel residents affected, either individually or as a class, shows clearly that the considerations which I have ventured to bring to the notice of Honourable Members were fully in the minds of the members of this Committee.
The professional accountants who were members of the Com- mittee were of course experts eminently qualified to analyse and evaluate the detailed accounts submitted. And the personnel of the Committee, under its able and distinguished Chairman, commands public confidence in the absolute impartiality of its recommendations.
Sir, I respectfully associate myself with the high tribute which my Honourable Friend the Colonial Secretary the other day in this Council paid to the Committee for its report, and I share his view
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